Joan Abelove

This was a very frank and straightforward look at what life can be like when two cultures come into close contact with each other. It was interesting to learn that it was based on the author’s actual experiences as an anthropologist in the Amazon. The book successfully blends the theme of culture clash between the anthropologists and the villagers with the coming of age story of Alicia. Alicia’s subtle changes over the course of the book correspond with the changes of perception between the two cultures. While the overall book can be viewed as a “slice of life” story, with individual incidences making up the bulk of the book, the running themes bring a broader and deeper meaning to the stories.… (mere)